Marijuana Legalization Effort in California Delayed

The folks behind another effort to fully legalize weed in California say they'll tweak the proposed measure before handing it to state officials for signature-gathering approval. That will mean a delay, but organizers say it's in the name of getting more feedback from you, the marijuana supporter.

If Americans for Policy Reform get enough signatures then the Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2014 (MCLR) will be headed for the November, 2014 ballot in the Golden State:

Language describing the measure had already been submitted and that would be approved Dec. 23, at which point backers could get folks to sign on, a spokeswoman at the California Secretary of State's office told us. But amending the thing will delay that process, she said.

There seems to be plenty of time, however. Signatures aren't due untilThe qualification deadline is June 26 for the November, 2014 ballot, the spokeswoman said.

A rep for Americans for Policy Reform told us any new amendments to the proposed signature-gathering language would be submitted by the first week of December:

Proponents of California's Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2014 (MCLR) have extended their timeline for further input from California voters before filing final amendments with the Secretary of State the first week of December.

According to its current statement of general purpose, the act would give Californians the ability to ...

... use, grow, transport and sell cannabis subject to reasonable regulation and taxation in a manner similar to alcohol.

This is for recreational pot, not just the medical kind.

Ale Darko

The law as it stands would tax weed, set up a regulatory pot commission, and overturn the ability of cities to close and ban shops.

Erika Taylor Montgomery, spokeswoman for Americans for Police Reform, said the potential remix of language is all about getting more feedback from Californians about what they'd like to see on the ballot:

The language could potentially change. This is the final opportunity for the public to weigh in. To see if there's anything anyone would like to add. It's not that we're displeased in any way.

The group says public feedback events are scheduled for the following weeks in L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. Info.